Raw multibeam bathymetry data were collected aboard RV SONNE during cruise SO317 using a Kongsberg EM 122 multibeam echosounder. The expedition took place during 2025-12-29 – 2026-02-18 from San Diego (United States) to San Diego (United States) in the Pacific. The objectives of SONNE cruise SO317 were to carry out environmental baseline and post-impact monitoring in the BGR contract area for the exploration of polymetallic nodules in the NE Pacific at around 12°N/117°W. A seafloor area with a size of 0.023 square kilometers that was impacted by a small-scale test of the pre-prototype nodule collector vehicle Patania II in May 2021 and its corresponding control reference site were revisited and environmentally monitored about 4.5 years after the disturbance. Data were recorded solely within international waters. Sound velocity profiles (SVP) were applied on the data for calibration. Please see environmental data and the cruise report for details. The data are unprocessed and can therefore contain incorrect depth measurements (artifacts) if not further processed. Note that refraction errors may occur when no proper SVP is applied. Data acquisition was done by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), provision of the data is supported by the DAM Project Underway Research Data and published according to the FAIR principles.

These data should not be used for navigational purposes.